During a recent trip to my favorite nursery I came across Crocosmia ‘Bright Eyes’. My jaw literally dropped when I saw the striking two-toned flowers which stand out among other perennial blooms. I am familiar with orange and red cultivars of Crocosmia, but this cultivar was an unusual and pleasant surprise.

Crocosmia ‘Bright Eyes’ Grows to Just 20″ Tall

In the family Iridaceae, Crocosmia ‘Bright Eyes’ features funnel-shaped flowers which appear on 20″ tall stems from July through September. Crocosmia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. This genus can also tolerate drought. For maximum effect in the garden, try pairing Crocosmia ‘Bright Eyes’ with Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or in front of Purple Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’).